Open Mike 19/09/25

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 19 comments
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19 comments on “Open Mike 19/09/25”

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  2. 2

    Vlad Vexler draws somes threads together – aand makes the important point that Putinism and Trumpism are not external threats, they are coming to our ballot boxes in the 2030s.

    1. 2.1

      Narcissism onto psychopaths.

      Polybius believed that every city-state experienced the same cycle, in which one government eventually becomes corrupt and is overthrown by the next. The sequence progresses through Monarchy, Tyranny, Aristocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Ochlocracy

      Today we would call MAGA red cap brand fascism the Trump ochlocracy preparing for the cross and flag Court of Saint James Vance psychopath monarchy.

      Vance brings in the Putin mysticism to the authoritarianism.

      Peter Thiel brings the technocracy – Palantir Panopticon Society.

    1. 3.1

      Former finance minister Sir Roger Douglas calls for Finance Minister Nicola Willis to resign [careful now RNZ, 18 Sept 2025]

      On the back of Sir Roger's critique of Willis' competence as Finance Minister, and the growing public perception that Luxon is a weak leader, might a reorganisation of roles buoy National's fortunes, by contributing to the illusion of progress?

      I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency and demoralization.
      https://www.forbes.com/quotes/7427/

      Is a shuffle on the cards?

      Inside the attack campaign testing Nicola Willis’ standing [5 Sept 2025]
      They [sources] say the [Taxpayers’ Union’s] sustained targeting is an effort to shore up Luxon’s troubled leadership by weakening what the group regards as the Government’s softest link: Willis and her grip on the economy.


      https://natlib.govt.nz/records/54155734 [9 December 2023]

        1. 3.1.1.1

          Yup its way more willis than the GFC.

          The austerity for some albatross hangs around all their necks as they drag NZ under.

          Nicky gets a boat motiff as extra neck wear.

      2. 3.1.2

        Wow, I sure called it right in yesterdays daily review page.

        Looks like the ships going down by the head faster than originally thought.

        But, assuming the best way to get rid of vermin is to put yourself in the mind of a rodent, PLEASE start to think about the possibility of defending a snap election.

        It must be obvious to national now that they're sinking fast and to the back benchers in steerage that there aren't enough lifeboats.

        We're one year out from an election. A small sacrifice for a potential 3 more years if they can catch the left unprepared for an election in the short term.

        Luxon won’t want to be remembered for the first 1 term national government and that’s how he could avoid it.

      3. 3.1.3

        Would be careful with what's being communicated. Douglas (because he's insane) believe's and is saying the govt budget should be slashed harder again.

        1. 3.1.3.1

          Exactly!!

          But any negative press is good press as many don’t have the depth of knowledge to know that, my enemies enemy is my friend.

        2. 3.1.3.2

          Would be careful with what's being communicated.

          Good point, but NZ neolibs on the right (Douglas and the TPU versus Willis and Luxon) squabbling in public is heartening – waddaya reckon Seymour?

          Willis and David Seymour, who was filling in for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon when this news dropped, said signs were positive for the September quarter.

          “If you look at the live GDP forecast, it’s actually at 0.7 for the quarter to date. That is a much more positive picture,” Seymour said.

          https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360827916/five-reasons-why-gdp-result-really-matters

          C'mon Seymour – grow a spine.

  4. 4

    'Murica's most special little boy has a whinge.

    /

    Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has suggested that networks regularly criticize him should potentially have their licenses taken away. "They're 97% against, they give me wholly bad publicity… I mean, they're getting a license, I would think maybe their license should be taken away" Trump told reporters on Thursday. "When you have a network and you have evening shows and all they do is hit Trump…They're not allowed to do that."

    https://www.newsweek.com/jimmy-kimmel-live-trump-abc-cancelled-fcc-free-speech-2131701

  5. 5

    Israel Institute of New Zealand’s director Ashley Church, who claimed Kirk’s views were “pretty much in the centre of the political spectrum”.

    Where does this perception come from?

    Protestant white race Judeo-Christian heritage and anything else in the world posed as an existential threat, from Islam to secular liberalism.

    https://ashleychurch.com/why-i-was-wrong-about-hamas/

    Thus the political centre occupied by these sort of people.

    Brian Tamaki, meanwhile, leader of Destiny Church, has shared details of a public vigil for Kirk this weekend in central Auckland. Tamaki said Kirk’s death “marks more than the loss of a leader; it is a turning point in society”.

    Tamaki said the vigil would be “a declaration. We will not be silent, we will not back down, and we will carry forward the cause he gave his life for.”

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/charlie-kirk-shooting-simplicity-kiwisaver-boss-sam-stubbs-says-freedom-of-speech-being-lost/44DRFD4BENHT3EYDZ3ATVKJUQE/

    1. 5.1

      PS It is interesting that the Herald quotes Ashley Church who regards branches of Christendom as false religion (Catholic and Mormon) on the Charlie Kirk killing.

  6. 6

    Saw a snippet that mentioned a company called Make Sunsets that sends Sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere via balloon to reflect sunlight and combat global warming which is apparently legal in tbe USA under the weather modification act of 1976.

    Tbh im not convunced that sending sulphur into the strosphere which they do admit has a measureable effect in the ozone layer is a particulary good idea. Unintended consequences etc be interested if anyone knows a bit more about the field and wether its a good idea or down right dangerous experiment.

    https://makesunsets.com/pages/new-faq

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